Pigeons and feral birds

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Avoid intentionally feeding pigeons, starlings, and similar feral birds, as feeding encourages large roosting groups and increases noise, droppings, and property damage.
• Use durable materials to prevent pigeons and other birds perching on homes and other structures, particularly crevices where they are protected from wind and water.
• Feral birds include non-native species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows.

Around home

• Inspect buildings, eaves, soffits, vents, and rooflines for openings where birds may roost or nest. Seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing, ensuring no birds are present before closing gaps.
• Trim branches overhanging roofs and driveways to reduce birds rooting and defecating on homes.
• Install bird-exclusion devices such as netting, spikes, or angled ledges on favored perching surfaces.
• Remove spilled bird seed, fallen fruit or nuts, and secure garbage.

Pets and livestock

• Pigeons and other feral birds generally avoid pets, but accumulated droppings may contaminate food or water sources for outdoor animals. Keep feeding areas clean and covered.
• Leash or fence dogs if they are prone to chasing birds to avoid injury to both pets and birds.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food and sealing potential areas for roosting are the best ways to reduce conflicts with feral birds.
• If feral birds are roosting around or on your home, use netting, spike strips, or other structural deterrents to prevent roosting.
• Use noise-making devices or visual deterrents such as flashing lights or scare balloons to move birds along, rotating methods to maintain effectiveness.
• Wrap netting around fruit trees to reduce feral birds reaching fruit or nuts.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of pigeons or other feral birds other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Feral bird species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are not protected federally or in Michigan. They may be lethally removed when doing or physically present to imminently cause damage.
• A hunting license is required if used for lethal removal of rock pigeons not related to damage.
• Where firearm use is restricted or you prefer not to remove yourself, contact a nuisance animal control company.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate residents about not intentionally feeding pigeons, starlings, and similar feral birds, as feeding encourages large roosting groups and increases noise, droppings, and property damage.
• Use durable materials to prevent pigeons and other birds perching on public buildings and other structures, particularly crevices where they are protected from wind and water.
• Feral birds include non-native species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows.

Your community

• Encourage residents to inspect eaves, soffits, vents, and rooflines for openings where feral birds may roost or nest. Seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing, ensuring no birds are present before closing gaps.
• Install bird-exclusion devices such as netting, spikes, or angled ledges on favored perching surfaces.
• Trim branches overhanging roofs and high traffic areas to reduce birds rooting and defecating on buildings and walkways.
• Encourage residents to remove spilled bird seed, fallen fruit or nuts, and secure garbage.
• Implement ordinances and enforcement that prohibit feeding pigeons and other wildlife that may cause problems.

Public spaces

• Inspect public buildings and structures for potential feral bird roosting sites. Seal openings with durable materials.
• Use bird-exclusion devices such as netting or spikes on ledges, bridges, and other locations where feral birds may roost.
• Install signage in parks and other green spaces discouraging feeding of pigeons, starlings, and other wildlife.

Pets and livestock

• Pigeons and other feral birds generally avoid pets, but accumulated droppings may contaminate food or water sources for outdoor animals. Keep feeding areas clean and covered.
• Inform residents to leash or fence dogs if they are prone to chasing birds to avoid injury to both pets and birds.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food and sealing potential areas for roosting are the best ways to reduce conflicts with feral birds.
• If feral birds are roosting around or on buildings, use netting, spike strips, or other structural deterrents to prevent roosting.
• Keep dense vegetation trimmed in parks and green spaces to reduce roosting areas.
• Use noise-making devices or visual deterrents such as flashing lights or scare balloons to move birds along, rotating methods to maintain effectiveness.
• Wrap netting around fruit trees to reduce feral birds reaching fruit or nuts.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of pigeons or other feral birds other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Feral bird species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are not protected federally or in Michigan. They may be lethally removed when doing or physically present to imminently cause damage.
• If your jurisdiction allows firearm use, a hunting license is required if used for lethal removal of rock pigeons not related to damage.
• If firearm use is restricted in your jurisdiction, or staff prefer not to remove directly, contact a nuisance animal control company.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Educate staff and students about not intentionally feeding pigeons, starlings, and similar feral birds, as feeding encourages large roosting groups and increases noise, droppings, and property damage.
• Use durable materials to prevent pigeons and other birds perching on buildings, play equipment, and other structures, particularly crevices where they are protected from wind and water.
• Feral birds include non-native species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows.

Grounds

• Inspect buildings, eaves, soffits, vents, and rooflines for openings where birds may roost or nest. Seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing, ensuring no birds are present before closing gaps.
• Trim branches overhanging roofs and driveways to reduce birds rooting and defecating on homes.
• Install bird-exclusion devices such as netting, spikes, or angled ledges on favored perching surfaces.
• Remove spilled bird seed, fallen fruit or nuts, and secure garbage.

Pets and livestock

• Pigeons and other feral birds generally avoid pets, but accumulated droppings may contaminate food or water sources for outdoor animals. Keep feeding areas clean and covered.
• Inform staff and visitors to leash dogs if they are prone to chasing birds to avoid injury to both pets and birds.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food and sealing potential areas for roosting are the best ways to reduce conflicts with feral birds.
• If feral birds are roosting around or on buildings, use netting, spike strips, or other structural deterrents to prevent roosting.
• Keep dense vegetation trimmed in courtyards, playgrounds, and other areas to reduce roosting areas.
• Use noise-making devices or visual deterrents such as flashing lights or scare balloons to move birds along, rotating methods to maintain effectiveness.
• Wrap netting around fruit trees to reduce feral birds reaching fruit or nuts.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of pigeons or other feral birds other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Feral bird species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are not protected federally or in Michigan. They may be lethally removed when doing or physically present to imminently cause damage.
• If your area allows firearm use, a hunting license is required if used for lethal removal of rock pigeons not related to damage.
• If firearm use is restricted in your area, or you prefer not to remove directly, contact a nuisance animal control company.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Minimize feeding pigeons, starlings, and similar feral birds, as feeding encourages large roosting groups and increases noise, droppings, and property damage.
• Use durable materials to prevent pigeons and other birds perching on buildings, play equipment, and other structures, particularly crevices where they are protected from wind and water.
• Feral birds include non-native species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows.

Your farm or orchard

• Inspect barns, silos, equipment sheds, and livestock facilities for roosting sites and seal openings with durable materials where possible.
• Install exclusion materials like netting or hardware cloth to prevent access to barn rafters or interior structures.
• Install bird-exclusion devices such as spike strips or angled ledges on favored perching surfaces.
• Promptly remove spilled grain, fallen fruit or nuts, and food waste.
• Trim dense vegetation near buildings to reduce cover for roosting flocks.

Pets and livestock

• Large flocks of feral birds may contaminate water troughs or feed with droppings. Keep feed covered and replace contaminated water promptly.
• Keep dogs leashed or fenced if they are prone to chasing birds to avoid injury to both pets and birds.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food and sealing potential areas for roosting are the best ways to reduce conflicts with feral birds.
• If feral birds are roosting around or on buildings, use netting, spike strips, or other structural deterrents to prevent roosting.
• Keep dense vegetation trimmed in courtyards, playgrounds, and other areas to reduce roosting areas.
• Use noise-making devices or visual deterrents such as flashing lights or scare balloons to move birds along, rotating methods to maintain effectiveness.
• Wrap netting around fruit trees to reduce feral birds reaching fruit or nuts.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of pigeons or other feral birds other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Feral bird species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are not protected federally or in Michigan. They may be lethally removed when doing or physically present to imminently cause damage.
• If your area allows firearm use, a hunting license is required if used for lethal removal of rock pigeons not related to damage.
• If firearm use is restricted in your area, or you prefer not to remove directly, contact a nuisance animal control company.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Do not intentionally feeding pigeons, starlings, and similar feral birds, as feeding encourages large roosting groups and increases noise, droppings, and property damage.
• Use durable materials to prevent pigeons and other birds perching on buildings, hangars, and other structures, particularly crevices where they are protected from wind and water.
• Feral birds include non-native species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows.

Around buildings

• Inspect hangars, terminals, and support buildings for openings where birds may roost or nest. Seal openings with durable materials such as hardware cloth or metal flashing, ensuring no birds are present before closing gaps.
• Trim branches overhanging roofs and walkways to reduce birds rooting and defecating in high use areas.
• Install bird-exclusion devices such as netting, spikes, or angled ledges on favored perching surfaces.
• Remove spilled bird seed, fallen fruit or nuts, and secure garbage.

Airfields

• Maintain short vegetation around runways and taxiways to reduce potential roosting and feeding areas.
• Inspect structures such as signs, lights, shelters, and bridges for roosting birds.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food and sealing potential areas for roosting are the best ways to reduce conflicts with feral birds.
• If feral birds are roosting around or on buildings, use netting, spike strips, or other structural deterrents to prevent roosting.
• Use noise-making device,s pyrotechnics, or visual deterrents such as flashing lights or scare balloons to move birds along, rotating methods to maintain effectiveness.
• Wrap netting around fruit trees to reduce feral birds reaching fruit or nuts.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of pigeons or other feral birds other than for permitted research.

Lethal methods

• Feral bird species such as rock pigeons, European starlings, and house sparrows are not protected federally or in Michigan. They may be lethally removed when doing or physically present to imminently cause damage.
• If your area allows firearm use, a hunting license is required if used for lethal removal of rock pigeons not related to damage.
• Use caution when shooing birds, as startled flocks may pose hazards near aircraft.
• If firearm use is restricted in your area, or you prefer not to remove directly, contact a nuisance animal control company.